It happened during her lessons.
Hermione had been listening to Lucius Malfoy discuss the Great Goblin Rebellion of 1056 when she suddenly felt a mortifying wetness between her legs and she realized that her water had broken. With her back pain and cramps all day, there was only one logical conclusion. She was in labor. Damn her twice for trying to soldier on through the pain all morning.
It was hilarious, in a way, to see the normally perfectly calm Lucius Malfoy reduced to total nervousness. Normally, he never had a single white blond hair out of place, but he was nearly on the edge of panic when he seemed to realize what was happening. She'd laughed, taken aback by the absurdity of the situation.
That was until her contractions started in. The pain was white hot and had her doubling over in pain, fists clenched at her sides in an effort not to make a noise.
Lucius then had his act together and quickly ushered her up the stairs to her bedroom. Once she was safely deposited on the bed, he fled the room, ostensible to to inform everyone of the issues.
Never one to sit around feeling useless, Hermione changed into a light, cotton nightgown, and walked around until Narcissa calmly walked into her room. Since she was the only woman here who had actually given birth to a child, she had elected to stay with Hermione through the birthday process. Voldemort had sent for the old crone, so all Hermione could do while she wait was pace around her room, counting the minutes as the contractions grew closer and closer to one another.
When she could no longer stand, she settled into her bed, before explaining the muggle concept of an epidural to Draco's mother. She seemed particularly horrified that anyone would want to stick a needle into their spine, but Hermione found herself wanting one at the moment, despite never giving it much thought before. The old woman who had examined her before arrived shortly after. Narcissa, who was usually cold and aloof, was surprisingly comforting to Hermione. She would tell her encouraging things and let Hermione squeeze her hand when the contractions came.
All the while, Hermione was completely unaware of what was going on outside of the four walls of her room.
Snape was sitting just outside the door, trying to read a potions quarterly, but finding himself unable to focus on the words. He had his potions kit in case anything went wrong, and of course, to collect the potions ingredients for the restorative. He was further distracted by the young man pacing back and forth in the hallway, cringing whenever he would hear Hermione cry out in pain. Snape was having a hard time keeping his face stoic as well.
"Really Draco, you look like a nervous father. People would think the Daily Prophet is telling the truth," Severus chided the younger man, who was obviously worried about Hermione.
Draco sat down hard next to his Godfather, his face ashen. "How can you stand it? Hermione being in so much pain?" he questioned. As if to punctuate the question, the two men heard her cry out again.
"I can barely stand it, but I know that in the end, Hermione will completely forget the pain, as soon as her child is in her arms," Severus answered, smoothing the pages of his magazine.
With his arms crossed over his chest, Severus got the impression that Draco wasn't impressed with that explanation. "How can he stand it?" Draco asked, accusatory.
Severus instantly knew who Draco was talking about. The Dark Lord was safely tucked away in the study, ignoring the shouts and cries of the girl six floors up. The Potions Master didn't want to speculate on just what the Dark Lord was thinking, seeing as he'd resisted Hermione as his wife and mother of his child up until this point.
Truthfully, Voldemort was having a difficult time staying down in his study. He bore his nerves hidden away from the prying eyes of his Death Eaters, trying not to think about the strong, fierce woman who was bringing his heir into the world. He had seen Lucius helping her upstairs, and had seen the pain on her face. He knew if he went to her, he would probably hex the old crone before she could deliver the baby, to try to help Hermione. No, it was better for him to stay down here.
A grueling ten hours later, Hermione had finally given birth to her son, Evan Salazar. He weighed eight pounds six ounces and he was nearly an exact replica of her Tom. He was snuggled in her arms cooing up at her, trying to grab a hold of her hair. His hair was jet black, with the slightest bit of curl. His eyes were a dark blue, as many babies are, but she was certain that they would soon turn dark as his father's.
Voldemort hadn't even come up yet to see the child, choosing instead to help Snape with the potion. It was slightly hilarious to Hermione to see the man who she saw as a father figure have to collect some of her placenta. It was also incredibly awkward. Once Snape had "gone to prepare the potion," he assured her that he would have Voldemort come up as soon as he saw him. And that the potion wouldn't be taken without her present. She couldn't stand the idea that something might happen to Voldemort before he even got a chance to meet Evan.
Looking down at the child in her arms, she knew that the nine months as well as the labor were totally worth it. It was becoming clear to Hermione that Voldemort wasn't going to heed her warning about the potion, and she was clear that it would have disastrous results. She didn't know what that would mean for the Dark Lord, or for herself. But, at least with Evan, she would always have a little piece of Voldemort with her. And she would be sure to teach him to love.
Draco had come to see her once Evan was born, and he was still sitting with her, keeping her company, trying to keep her mind off of Voldemort. They had a good talk, while Draco held little Evan. It was weird to see him with an infant in his arms. He revealed to her that he had been worried about her, when she was in labor. He could only imagine what it would be like when his wife was giving birth to his heir, he explained wistfully, thinking of Astoria and a future that was still far off in the distance. He just wanted to take away her pain, but he knew that he couldn't. Seeing Hermione with her baby made him realize though that Snape was telling the truth. The pain was forgotten now.
Hermione was playing with the emerald locket that she still wore around her neck, much like she used to with the Gaunt ring. It always made her feel closer to Voldemort, knowing that it carried a little piece of him. It should be terrible to know that she protected a horcrux, but who knew much longer it would be that way.
It was while she was letting Evan hold onto the locket, though, that Voldemort finally appeared. The formidable dark wizard took one look at Draco and simply stated, "Out."
Draco didn't have to be told twice, leaving the couple alone to go down to the dungeons with Snape. Voldemort sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Hermione, who was sitting up with Evan in her arms. He had a strange look on his face. It was so odd to see the small, little creature that was staring at him with deep blue eyes.
"Would you like to hold him?" Hermione asked, holding out the bundle to Voldemort, who reluctantly took it. "He looks so much like you," Hermione told him fondly, smiling.
Voldemort scoffed, but didn't correct her, believing what she'd said his physical form didn't matter to her. Looking down at the baby, he could understand what she had meant. He wondered if this was how his mother had felt, looking at the face of his muggle father. To his surprise, for once he didn't feel revulsion. Voldemort took one of his long fingers and touched the boy's cheeks. The baby, grabbed on to him, using his chubby little fingers to pull the finger to his mouth.
"I feel so warm," Voldemort said, a strange sensation coming over him. He instantly felt affection for the small baby, one that was unshakable and deep. "I never wanted a child. But now...I know I will teach this child everything. Evan will want for nothing," he said to her - an oath.
Hermione felt her smile falter. "You love him," she said simply, realizing that he was just unused to the emotion. She was glad that Voldemort was finally understanding love, but she knew that it wasn't going to change anything.
He looked at her, his unnatural colored eyes shining. "Perhaps I do," he agreed.
One week after Evan was born, Hermione was delighted to see how much everyone seemed to love her son, especially Bella and Snape. Snape would discuss potions with the baby as if he understood, pretending his coos were well thought out answers. Bella of course was very honored by her name choice, as Evan had been her uncle.
Voldemort was spending significant time with Hermione and their son, as well. It was a surprise, but it wasn't unwelcome. Although she knew he would never admit it, but Hermione was pretty sure it was in case something happened to him.
But today was finally the day, the day that Voldemort was going to take the potion, which had been in progress for months now. Hermione couldn't even feel good about all the hard work she'd put into making the potion a success. Voldemort was eager to get started, but it didn't stop Hermione from appealing one more time to him in private. "Please, if you love me at all, if you ever felt anything for me - for Evan, you won't do this. We could disappear. Live happily, the three of us. Please," she begged him.
It was no use. Voldemort held the vial in hand, with Bellatrix, Snape, Hermione and Evan, and Draco in the basement with him. Without pomp or ceremony, he simply raised the vial to his lips and drank.
For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. Then, Hermione saw Voldemort hiss in pain, and she felt the locket begin to heat up on her neck. It didn't take long for Evan begin to whine in pain. Hermione herself gasped, feeling as though she had been punched in the chest, as if her very heart was trying to escape her. That was all that she could remember, before she collapsed, unconscious.
Draco was the first to act after watching Hermione collapse. The rest of the room was far too focused on the man changing in front of them to notice the young mother and child had gone silent.
Voldemort had grabbed the countertop, sinking to his knees. His skin seemed to be melting in a way, as if he was losing the effect of the polyjuice potion. It was odd to watch the way he seemed to morph back into a normal man from a monster. Bellatrix and Snape were transfixed, watching their Lord transform back into a man in his early thirties, with thick black hair, pale skin, but not milky white like it had been before. His eyes were dark, so dark, again, and his body seemed to regain his musculature.
They were finally snapped out of their focus when they heard Draco rummaging around. "Hermione and Evan's heartbeats are too slow, too weak. They need help now!" he demanded, finally finding what he was looking for. "Aunt Bella, open the floo. Snape, do you have any spare hairs?" Draco asked, holding up some leftover polyjuice potion. "I am taking her to St. Mungo's. We can't wait." It was unspoken that Draco meant for Voldemort to regain himself.
Luckily for Draco, Snape did have some extra hairs on hand as usual. Draco took the polyjuice containing the hair of some muggle. Draco took some of the polyjuice potion, with a female hair, and helped Hermione swallow it, waiting for the change to take place before they could leave. She ended up looking not that different from herself. She had straight brown hair and many more freckles, but she was surprisingly still Hermione-esque.
Gathering his friend and her child up in his arms, Draco walked into the fireplace, shouting "St. Mungo's!"
Draco was absolutely fidgety in the private room at St. Mungo's where a healer was seconds from entering. When he heard the door open, he quickly grabbed the Healer, covering their mouth with his hand. He felt some relief when he noticed it was just Katie Bell.
"I am going to let you speak, but only so you can make a Wand Oath. You don't even know what I will do to you if you try anything funny," he whispered in her ear, deadly serious, and not feeling badly about the threats. He felt her nod her head quickly, seeing the patient on the bed. Once they had completed an oath, wherein Katie promised not to tell anyone that Draco didn't approve of about the incident, and promised to give Hermione utmost care, did he let her go.
"Why did our polyjuice wear off?" he demanded.
"The rooms are equipped to remove any enchantments to hide who someone is," she explained. Katie looked from Draco to Hermione to the small infant still clutched in her arms. "So it is true. You got Hermione pregnant?" Katie asked. She was shocked when she had read it in the paper, not believing that it could be true from what she remembered of the muggleborn girl.
"What? No! The real father couldn't take her, and she is one of my closest friends," Draco snarled, hating the rumor mill that seemed to swirl around Hermione. "Does that child look like the one Hermione and I would produce?" he added quickly.
Katie had to admit that with the child's dark, dark hair, he did not look at all what she would have expected a Malfoy-Granger child to look like.
Once she had stabilized Hermione and the child, whose name she had learned was Evan, Katie admitted Hermione to the hospital under a false name. All the while, she was trying to get the full story from Draco about what happened. "So you say this happened directly after a soul-restorative potion." Katie pondered for a while. "Was...was Hermione soul-bonded to someone?" she asked.
Draco could only nod, not wanting to reveal unneeded details.
"Well, Draco, it's not good. It's as if Hermione had part of her soul ripped from her. The best restorative for a soul is remorse, so unless the potion taker truly feels sorry...I don't know if or when Hermione and Evan will wake up," Katie said sadly. She hoped, for Hermione's fate, that whoever it was could sort things out. She was an amazing witch, and she didn't deserve to die this way.
Draco sat down hard. He was pretty sure that Voldemort had never felt remorse in his life. And how could he feel remorse when he'd already gotten from Hermione what he wanted? Draco wasn't sure if Voldemort felt anything for Hermione, despite his feelings that he did. He was struck by how much Hermione had grown to mean to him, and he couldn't bare the thought of her not waking up.
Katie sat next to him, rubbing her hand on his knee. "Please. We have to tell Harry. Harry is Hermione's oldest friend. He deserves to see her," she asked, knowing that no matter what happened, Harry and Hermione would not give up on one another.
Draco didn't want Katie to see him with the tears in his eyes or hear the croak in his throat so he just nodded.
Harry was sitting in his bed in the Gryffindor boys dorms. The rest of the boys were out playing pick up Quidditch, even Ron, but he just couldn't go. Ever since he'd come back to Hogwarts, he'd felt so out of place, as if he were too large for his skin. He had been thinking more and more about his place in the Order, questioning their decisions. He didn't like it.
He heard a slight buzzing from his dresser table. Confused, he wondered what it could be. Opening it, he found that his communicator coin from the DA was hot to the touch with a new message on it, vibrating gently against the wood. Harry was glad that no one else was around and he could read the message in peace.
When he saw what the coin said, it had him jumping up and grabbing his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's map.
"Harry, come to St. M's. Ask for Helena Thomas. KB."
He needed to get out of Hogwarts and get to St. Mungo's as soon as possible. There was no mistaking what the message from Katie Bell meant. He knew who Helena Thomas was. Finally, he would be reunited with Hermione.